This was an interesting, but highly unusual book that was not for the weak willed. The book is extremely well plotted as it goes in directions that one does not expect, but that seem extremely apt once the reader works out where the story is headed. In addition, it is well written in an almost painfully vivid way. So much so, that one feels every experience each character goes through on a visceral level and the utopian world that was the setting for much of the novel is intricately detailed and described. Along with this, on a purely technical level the prose is graceful and a pleasure to take in. However, Utopia's most impressive achievement was its characters. They were all three dimensional and well rounded. This was especially true of the protagonist, Scott. He was an infinitely complex, endlessly intriguing person whose motivations the reader can sympathize with and whose journey you cannot help, but want to follow.
There was much about Utopia that should be praised and admired. But, if there was anything that I found distasteful about it, it was how accurately it depicted grief and depression especially in a four year old Scott at the beginning. Scott's melancholia over the death of his grandmother left such a black cloud that I struggled with the book at its start. Moreover, as the book progressed when it had less than happy moments one could feel as if he or she was plunged into a very dark hole that it was exceedingly difficult to get out of. Still, that may speak to the author's considerable talent. But, be forewarned this book is not for the faint of heart and when it gets black, it gets BLACK.
So, if you would like to read something a little different than most fiction or simply appreciate good writing, you may want to sit down with Utopia. You will definitely find something that you have not seen before.
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